Emerald ash borer confirmed in Union County; State quarantine to be extended
JANUARY 27, 2023:
The South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources has confirmed an Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) infestation in Dakota Dunes, South Dakota.
In response, DANR Secretary Hunter Roberts will extend the existing state quarantine for crop pests to Union County. The updated quarantine area now includes all of Minnehaha, Lincoln, Turner, and Union counties. The quarantine is intended to slow the spread of EAB.
The year-round quarantine prohibits the shipment of firewood and ashes from the quarantined districts. The movement of fuelwood of all hardwood species, whether for commercial or domestic use, is also restricted. EAB has been positively identified in three counties, Lincoln, Minnehaha and Union, and six communities of Brandon, Canton, Crooks, Dakota Dunes, Sioux Falls and Worthing.
“We must all work together to slow the spread of EAB,” said DANR Secretary Hunter Roberts. “Firewood is the most common way EAB is transported from one place to another. Please follow quarantine restrictions and buy where you burn it!”
If an ash tree is infested before it is felled, the wood may still contain EAB larvae. A single split piece of ash firewood can produce five or more adults in summer.
EAB is a boring beetle that feeds on all North American ash species. It was first discovered in the United States in 2002 and in South Dakota in 2018.
For more information on EAB or to report a suspected sighting, please visit https://
JULY 2022:
The South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources Forest Health Team has confirmed the presence of Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) in Brandon, South Dakota. EAB has previously been confirmed in other areas of Minnehaha and Lincoln counties.
“A forest health specialist from DANR, working in Brandon, spotted a group of ash trees showing common symptoms of EAB infestation,” said Marcus Warnke, DANR State Forester. “On inspection, the presence of EAB larvae and adult egress holes was confirmed in one of the trees.”
The discovery was immediately reported to city officials.
“Brandon has been anticipating the arrival of EAB in the community,” said Brandon City Manager Bryan Read. “The affected trees have already been marked for removal as part of our ash population reduction program.”
Transporting infested wood, including firewood, is a common way for EAB to spread from one community to another. State and local quarantines are in place to slow the spread, but it’s important to remember not to move firewood – buy it where you burn it!
The government quarantine, which applies year-round, prohibits the movement of raw ash wood, such as B. logs, or firewood from hardwood species from Lincoln, Minnehaha and Turner counties. In addition, the City of Sioux Falls has banned the shipment of ash wood from Memorial Day through Labor Day. This measure reduces movement of EAB within the state quarantine area and is a great recommendation for those outside of Sioux Falls city limits.
For more information on EAB or to report a suspected sighting, please visit https://
MAY 2022:
The South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources Forest Health Team has confirmed the presence of the Emerald Ashbore in Minnehaha County near Crooks. EAB has previously been confirmed in other areas of Minnehaha and Lincoln counties.
“Possibly affected ash trees have been reported by a landowner,” said Greg Josten, DANR State Forester. “Upon inspection, DANR’s Forest Health Team confirmed the presence of EAB pupae in one of the trees.”
Transporting infested wood, including firewood, is a common way for EAB to spread from one community to another. State and local quarantines are in place to slow the spread, but it’s important to remember not to move firewood – buy it where you burn it!
The government quarantine, which applies year-round, prohibits the movement of raw ash wood, such as B. logs, or firewood from hardwood species from Lincoln, Minnehaha and Turner counties. In addition, the City of Sioux Falls has banned the shipment of ash wood from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
For more information on EAB or to report a suspected sighting, please visit https://
In addition, DANR will host an online EAB update and seminar tomorrow (May 18, 2022) from 1-2pm CDT via ZOOM. To register, please visit: https://state-sd.zoom.us/
